minimal requirement

USAGE SUMMARY

"minimal requirement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a standard or expectation of something that must be met, but is not much more than the absolute minimum. For example: "The minimum requirement for eligibility was that applicants had to have earned a college degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A rule of thumb is that 50 observations are a minimal requirement for ARIMA models, 37 whereas SARIMA models require longer time series.

BMJ Open

"It is a minimal requirement.

The New York Times

That will be his minimal requirement.

The New York Times - Sports

And companies that use best practices go much further than the minimal requirement.

The New York Times

Empathy is a minimal requirement of human decency, not one that should be directed by a political party".

The New York Times

They might also pledge to build back beyond this minimal requirement after the economic recession has passed.

The New York Times

Hardy offers "a more realistic recommendation for the practical minimal requirement of 150g/day of glycemic carbohydrate intake beyond the ages of three to four years".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As in a thirties musical, excess was a given; the overhead shot of the hundred dancing girls was the minimal requirement for a night's fun.

The New Yorker

Correspondence theorists tend to regard this as a (minimal) requirement.

SEP

We also provide counterexamples showing a∈BV to be in a sense a minimal requirement.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Again the Pareto criterion conflicts with a (minimal) requirement of communal self-governance or autonomy.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "minimal requirement", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being minimally required and why it is important, even in its minimal form. For example, "The "minimal requirement" for submitting the application is a completed form and a valid ID."

Common error

Avoid using "minimal requirement" when you actually mean an optimal or recommended level. "Minimal requirement" suggests the bare minimum necessary, not the ideal amount. Make sure the situation allows for describing the lowest threshold and nothing more. If you need to indicate some level above minimal, then use another term like 'target' or 'standard'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minimal requirement" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence, identifying or describing a standard or expectation. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minimal requirement" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that defines the least acceptable condition. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for formal and scientific contexts where precision is necessary. Its primary function is to set limits or specify essential criteria, as demonstrated across various sources, including science, news, and business. While alternatives exist, such as ""minimal prerequisite"" or ""modest requirement"", it's crucial to differentiate between "minimal" and "optimal" to avoid misrepresenting the intended level. Always ensure the context clearly indicates what is being minimally required and why.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal prerequisite

This alternative suggests a condition that must be met before something else can happen, similar to a "minimal requirement".

minimal necessity

This alternative emphasizes the essential nature of the requirement being at the lowest acceptable level.

minimal obligation

This alternative highlights the required nature of the item, but at its lowest acceptable threshold.

minimal criterion

This alternative refers to the least stringent standard used for judgment or qualification.

minimal demand

This refers to the smallest amount of something needed or asked for.

minimal condition

Focuses on the condition that must be met at a basic level.

nominal requirement

This suggests a requirement that is stated but may not be strictly enforced or is very small.

modest requirement

Implies the requirement is not excessive or burdensome.

negligible requirement

This alternative suggests the requirement is so small it's almost insignificant.

small requirement

This is a straightforward substitution indicating the requirement is not large or demanding.

FAQs

How can I use "minimal requirement" in a sentence?

You can use "minimal requirement" to describe the least amount or standard of something that is needed or acceptable. For instance, "The "minimal requirement" for graduation is a passing grade in all core subjects."

What are some alternatives to "minimal requirement"?

Some alternatives to "minimal requirement" include "minimal prerequisite", "minimal necessity", or "modest requirement", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "minimal requirement" or "minimum standard"?

Both "minimal requirement" and "minimum standard" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Minimal requirement" highlights what is absolutely necessary, while "minimum standard" focuses on an acceptable level of quality or performance. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "minimal requirement" and "optional extra"?

"Minimal requirement" refers to something essential that must be fulfilled, whereas "optional extra" refers to something that is not essential but can be added if desired. They are contrasting concepts.